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THE CROSS OF CHRIST.
INSCRIBED TO THE REV. J. M. BELLEW, S.C.L.
O Cross of Christ! first rear'd 'mid scoff and scorn,
Cherish'd in secret 'gainst a bad world's hate;
Now on the neck of maiden beauty worn—
Blazing 'mid arms and banners of the state—
The flags of navies, crown'd and consecrate!
Erst type of persecution, shame, and blood;
Now the bow'd knees of nations on thee wait;
And kings adore, where burning martyrs stood,
Like Faith amidst the flames, unchanged and unsubdued!
Cherish'd in secret 'gainst a bad world's hate;
Now on the neck of maiden beauty worn—
Blazing 'mid arms and banners of the state—
The flags of navies, crown'd and consecrate!
Erst type of persecution, shame, and blood;
Now the bow'd knees of nations on thee wait;
And kings adore, where burning martyrs stood,
Like Faith amidst the flames, unchanged and unsubdued!
O blest of Heaven, Religion, God-born guide!
Not thine the torture and the bigot chain,
Not thine the unsparing creed, the zealot pride
That would, through persecution, Christ attain!
Thou hast no heavenly joy in human pain;
But ever com'st by love and mercy led;
Yet wert thou parent call'd by many a Cain,
Who from the altar struck his brother dead,
And pray'd with gore-stain'd hands, as if 'twere incense shed!
Not thine the torture and the bigot chain,
Not thine the unsparing creed, the zealot pride
That would, through persecution, Christ attain!
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But ever com'st by love and mercy led;
Yet wert thou parent call'd by many a Cain,
Who from the altar struck his brother dead,
And pray'd with gore-stain'd hands, as if 'twere incense shed!
Come to our souls and make us all thine own;
Come with thy brow of truth, thy lip of grace—
Thy peace, which is the light of Jesus' throne;
Thy hope, which beameth like an angel's face;
Oh, come, Religion, all the world embrace!
For all are brothers, and God's home would seek:
Back to thy breast our erring footsteps trace;
Teach us with Christian charity to speak,
Nor crouch to high estate, nor trample on the weak!
Come with thy brow of truth, thy lip of grace—
Thy peace, which is the light of Jesus' throne;
Thy hope, which beameth like an angel's face;
Oh, come, Religion, all the world embrace!
For all are brothers, and God's home would seek:
Back to thy breast our erring footsteps trace;
Teach us with Christian charity to speak,
Nor crouch to high estate, nor trample on the weak!
To preach the Gospel!—to illume the dark,
Strengthen the weak, upraise the poor and low;
To seek in humble breasts the struggling spark,
And with the breath of truth to bid it glow:
To lead the frail, irresolute, and slow
Unto the fount of everlasting light!
To teach them to believe what God doth show
In every dawning day and setting night:
To call the erring back, and guide their feet aright.
Strengthen the weak, upraise the poor and low;
To seek in humble breasts the struggling spark,
And with the breath of truth to bid it glow:
To lead the frail, irresolute, and slow
Unto the fount of everlasting light!
To teach them to believe what God doth show
In every dawning day and setting night:
To call the erring back, and guide their feet aright.
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This is to preach the Gospel of our Lord!
To lead through love, persuade through Mercy's tongue:
And thou, to whom I dedicate each word,
Whose zeal, whose genius I have honour'd long,
Still, arm'd with eloquence, convince the throng;
Assure the doubtful—win the heedless breast,
Bid lips, long mute, thrill with Jehovah's song!
Show the afflicted where their griefs may rest,—
So shall thy name be loved, and thy true mission blest!
To lead through love, persuade through Mercy's tongue:
And thou, to whom I dedicate each word,
Whose zeal, whose genius I have honour'd long,
Still, arm'd with eloquence, convince the throng;
Assure the doubtful—win the heedless breast,
Bid lips, long mute, thrill with Jehovah's song!
Show the afflicted where their griefs may rest,—
So shall thy name be loved, and thy true mission blest!
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